New headline names sign up as the league returns to action

By James Nalton

While that may not be able to be properly assessed until a later date, there is plenty of enthusiasm in the stands and on the pitch.

This was helped by several big names joining the league this summer, and while the biggest name of them all, Lionel Messi, is not yet back from his post-World Cup break, there has been plenty to look out for as the league resumes.

Lewandowski not yet firing for Chicago

Chicago Fire’s transfer of Robert Lewandowski raised a few eyebrows this summer, not just because they were signing one of the best centre-forwards in the history of the game, but also because they already had the league’s in-form striker and top scorer on their books.

Hugo Cuypers topped the MLS scoring charts as the league went into its World Cup break on 13 goals, one ahead of Messi.

Aside from the odd blip, the Fire were looking like one of the better teams in their conference along with Inter Miami and Nashville, sitting third in the East.

Their hire of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter in a combined head coach and director of football role was starting to make more sense as they looked like they were on course for their best season since 2017.

Then, Cuypers was sold as a result of Lewandowski’s arrival, and the Polish forward has struggled to make an impact in the two games he has been involved in so far.

The Fire have lost both games since the return to action, with Lewandowski barely involved. The most recent defeat came against an impressive New York City FC side that looks poised to overtake them in the league.

Chicago will hope Lewandowski’s slow start and these defeats are just another blip, and not a sign of things to come.

Suárez still scoring as Casemiro makes Miami debut

As MLS resumed, Inter Miami are without Messi, who, along with Argentina and Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, remained on an extended break following participation in the World Cup final.

That doesn’t mean they are without familiar star names, as Luis Suárez has been joined in the Inter Miami lineup by new signing Casemiro.

Suárez scored twice in the first game back, a 3-2 win against Chicago last week, and scored the only goal in this weekend’s game against Montréal, converting a penalty with a Panenka to give Casemiro a win on his debut.

Griezmann’s Orlando magic

It’s been a summer of big-name signings in MLS, and Antoine Griezmann’s arrival in Orlando might end up being the most effective but of business.

Orlando City’s season looked like it might be over before it had even begun as they ended the pre-World Cup stage of the campaign with just four wins from 15 games.

They weren’t the only uninspiring team at the start of the 2026 campaign, though, and in MLS there is always a chance to recover and make the playoffs.

Griezmann’s arrival seems to have spurred them on, in terms of ambition and expectation more than anything else.

The 35-year-old scored on his debut in a 4-0 win against one of the most impressive teams in the Western Conference at the start of the season, San Jose Earthquakes, and they followed that up this weekend by defeating the team that sits at the top of the Eastern Conference, Nashville SC.

This Nashville win was inspired by a player at the other end of the age range, as a great assist from 18-year-old Justin Ellis set up Tyrese Spicer for the game’s only goal.

Wins against these teams should give Orlando the confidence they can beat anyone with their new star on board.

“You can see his overall quality, the experience, the level he’s been playing at for a long time,” said Orlando defender Robin Jansson. 

“On the other side, the type of person he is. He’s fantastic, such a great guy. Good for the locker room, good for the younger kiddos and the elders like me. 

“A great addition to the team and super happy to have him.”

Hell is Real is real

Rivalry matches in a relatively young league like MLS can be hit and miss. 

The league often sets up rivalry weeks that are a group of fixtures between teams it thinks should be rivals, but these can very often feel manufactured for marketing purposes.

Columbus Crew versus FC Cincinnati is not one of those. Despite being less than ten years old, this fixture, which could also be called an Ohio derby, has emerged organically between two of the state’s big cities.

Even its name was created by fans from a religious billboard seen on the road that connects the two cities.

This most recent Hell is Real derby was particularly feisty on the field, culminating in a red card for FC Cincinnati’s Gerardo Valenzuela, who blatantly kicked Taha Habroune to the ground in the final minutes.

The aftermath saw plenty of scuffles, which continued into the tunnel after the game.

The small matter of the result saw Columbus pick up a win that helps them begin to push from the wrong end of the table towards a playoff spot.

“Wins like this can be season-changing, especially in a rivalry,” said Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. 

“It’s massive for us. It gives us momentum going forward, and we’ll enjoy it tonight — Ohio will be black and gold for a bit — but we focus on Miami [next week] now.”

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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